b) The young Valvano said, “Because the final score defines you. You lose and you are a loser. You win and you’re a winner.”

c) The player said, “I think what defines you is character. How you play the game and how you relate to teammates defines you; regardless if you win or lose.”

3. A reflective coach.

a) Twenty four years later Valvano was in a life struggle with terminal spinal cancer.

b) Just before his death the now famous coach stated, “The kid was right twenty four years ago. It’s attitude and effort. It’s trying and launching out that is really important. I can’t help think what a great human being I could have been, if I would have had this awareness years ago.”